The Rebel Captain's Royalist Bride (20 page)

Afterword

I
t was a glorious summer day, very similar to the one that they had spent by the river during the war—the day that she believed her first son had been conceived. Babette looked at her family gathered on the lawn. Her two sons were playing ball; Jamie, the elder, being very gentle with his brother, younger by just eighteen months. Their sister, Barbara, was just four months old and had been conceived when James returned from the war.

It had been a long war and Babette had spent many lonely months without her beloved husband, but he had visited her whenever he was able and their second son, Tomas had been born when he was home on leave with a troubling wound towards the end of the conflict. Babette had given birth easily, which had not been the case when Jamie was born, but Mrs Brisket had seen her through it and she’d recovered by the time her beloved husband returned once more.

James saw her looking about her and came towards her, glancing at the babe in her cradle. ‘Is anything wrong, dearest?’

‘No,’ she replied, smiling at him. ‘I was just thinking how lucky we are.’ She glanced across at her brother, who was talking to his son, the eldest of the children present. ‘I wish that John could be as happy and settled as we are.’

‘He has at last ceased to grieve for Alice,’ James said and frowned. ‘He grieved sorely when he learned she had died of a fever, but I think he has begun to feel better now. Perhaps he would not wish me to say—but I think he has met someone, a rather pretty girl who seems to be fond of him. Her name is Gillian and he might marry her in time. I believe he is in a way to being happy again.’

‘Yes, perhaps,’ Babette said. ‘The letter that came this morning—was it from your cousin Drew? I know he went to France when things turned out badly for the King.’

‘Yes, it was from Drew. He remains in France and from what I hear is still not married to his Beth.’

‘He should have done as my brother did. John made his peace with Parliament and was allowed to keep Brevington, though the castle has gone for ever.’

‘He seems not to care, and Gillian is a simple country girl. I think she will be happy in the house John has built for himself and his son. It is a sturdy house and we shall visit him there next month.’

‘He has achieved a great deal with your help,’ Babette said and looked at him with love in her eyes. ‘We have so much. I feel so fortunate...’

‘We are very fortunate,’ James said and reached out to drop a kiss on her forehead.

He had been offered a post in London as a reward for his good service, but unlike Cromwell had decided that he would not accept. He wanted neither a pension nor honours, but a simple life at home with his wife and children. In London, Cromwell was beset by arguing factions and near driven mad by their demands; it was not the life for James.

Watching his sons, he smiled. He had said he wanted one son and two daughters, but in truth he cared not one whit. As long as his wife and children thrived, he was content.

‘You are beautiful and I could tarry with you all day,’ he said softly. ‘Tonight I shall show you how fortunate I think myself—but for the moment I should look after our guests.’

Babette nodded, watching as he moved away to talk to their neighbours and friends, and enquire if they had all they needed. She felt a wave of happiness engulf her. The lonely years were past and she could look forward to a long and glorious life with her beloved husband and their children.

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